This might be something controversial, but I adore cooking in the winter. Cozy, hearty, warm meals are staples in our home and the smells that fill the kitchen that accompany it are just the bonus. I was fortunate to have many influences in my life when it came to learning how to cook and how to put your twist on it. From my grandmothers, my mom, my godfather’s mom, and my mother-in-law the binder of my favorites is bursting at the seams.
Mac, my godfather’s mom, and grandmother of choice noted in pencil in the margins of her cookbooks, many that I was lucky to inherit and still go to when I need inspiration. These cookbooks not only help feed my family but also keep her close because she is no longer with me. My favorite saying I inherited and my mantra in the kitchen is why do hard what you can do easy. I feel most moms can relate to this because if I can find a hack to make it quicker or easier—I will take it.
Cooking is a way I show my love. I do it for my family, my best friends, neighbors, the kids teachers, and administrators. Lifting someone up with a cozy meal or a tasty treat brings me the most joy.
I know after cooking and hosting for the holidays, you can get into a rut, so I am sharing some of my favorite go-to cozy winter meals for you to try. The bonus is these meals are meals that can have helpers prepare as my kitchen always seems to have some. One thing to note is that I use recipes as a guide, so I am sharing the hacks that I have experimented with through the years of making these dishes.
Here are my favorite cozy winter meals for you and your family to try:
Sheet Pan Apple Sausage Dinner
This is a nice throw some things in a pan and have dinner meal. The recipe is a bit too busy for me with all the steps. So I cut the veggies to be as close to size as I can and then cook them all together. I have a sensitive eater so I can make quadrants of foods that work for my child and the rest go on another sheet pan. Makes for something else to wash but if I can get a meal everyone will eat, I do not mind the extra pan to wash. I even double it on occasion so I have lunch for the week. It reheats nicely and is a nice high-protein meal for this on-the-go momma.
Meatloaf
I have an obsession with Ina Garten and anything Barefoot Contessa. I still watch her episodes if I have time and get to choose what is on the TV. Cold days are great to have meatloaf on the menu. I serve this with some kind of potato and usually a green bean but if those are not for you foods, feel free to add your favorites.
Beef Stew
My mother-in-law introduced me to Natasha’s Kitchen. Years ago, she left this recipe with me and it has been a winter staple here. I did lower the salt in this one because, with the bacon, I felt it was too salty for my taste. I love to serve this in a big bowl with some nice crusty bread, homemade if I have time but do not feel like it is necessary. Fresh, crusty grocery store or bakery bread is just fine.
Potato Leek Soup
There isn’t anything better than a cozy, creamy, smooth soup on a frigid winter night. This recipe came to me from our farm share at Westward Orchards. Each week you get a couple of recipes for ideas to use the vegetables and this one intrigued me because I loved getting this in Ireland when I would visit my family.
Roasted Vegetable Soup
This is my favorite recipe when I have veggies in the fridge or a counter that looks a little past prime but not quite ready for the animals outside. I roast the veggies with some fresh herbs of choice at 400°F degrees for about 20 minutes and then add it to boiling stock (use stock of your choice, chicken, veggie) and blend with an immersion blender. My favorite combo is sweet potato, carrot, and parsnip.
Roast Chicken With Veggies
My mom is Irish, so I fight the urge to not put a side of potato with every dish, but this one I find goes nicely with either roasted potatoes or a creamy mashed potato. Especially on a cold winter’s night, it is super cozy in your tummy. I also adore the fennel and lemon. This one is a great set, forget and enjoy the smell of your kitchen recipe.
Maple Mustard Chicken
I love this recipe from Budget Bytes. My favorite pairing is with a roasted sweet potato and Brussels sprouts. The chicken thighs stay super moist and the sauce is to die for. My children love to be the ones to mix the sauce and pour it over the chicken.
Beef Bourguignon
I adore French cooking, beef bourguignon especially. There is something especially divine about the layers of flavor and how truly special it feels. It takes some doing to make, but my gosh it is so worth it. I serve this either over a really nice thick slice of sourdough or a bed of mashed potatoes.
Baked Ziti
I am also part Italian and one of my favorite memories growing up was around my Nana’s table. She always had sauce going and a variety of pasta for us grandkids. Anytime I make this recipe, I think of her and how warm and magical her house was. If you have a family sauce recipe or a jar you enjoy, use it. If you want to elevate it, layer it with lasagna noodles instead of the ziti. You also can make this into a lasagna but as a busy mom of three, that is something I prefer not to do unless I absolutely have to. If you have a pasta purist who does not like sauce make some extra and serve that first to save yourself another pot to wash.
Enjoy trying these cozy winter meals with your family or for a nice date night in with your spouse. Stay warm and cozy!
